Psychedelic Artist Peter Max, Icon of 'Flower Power,' Passes at 88
WHO:
ABC News - Max's son, Adam Max, stated, “We will remember his extraordinary creativity, his warmth, his curiosity, and the way he saw beauty and possibility everywhere.”
ABC News - Peter Max, a psychedelic pop artist, has died at age 88.
ABC News - Max's son, Adam Max, provided a statement regarding his father's death.
ABC News - Max was born Peter Max Finkelstein to a Jewish family in Berlin.
WHAT:
ABC News - Max's art was featured in dozens of museum exhibitions around the world, including seven works owned by New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
ABC News - Max's work has been described as "vividly fluorescent paintings, posters and graphic imagery."
ABC News - Peter Max died at age 88; no cause of death was provided.
NY Post - Max was the official artist for major events including the Olympics, Super Bowl, Indianapolis 500, World Cup, and World Series.
ABC News - Max's art was featured on a Boeing 777 airplane and a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.
ABC News - Max created covers for the Manhattan Yellow Pages and was featured on the cover of Life magazine in 1969.
ABC News - Max's work included 70 product lines, such as mugs, bedsheets, dresses, silks, scarves, and ties.
WHERE:
ABC News - Max's family fled to Shanghai from Berlin, later spending time in Tibet, Israel, and Paris before settling in New York City.
WHEN:
ABC News - Max's career in graphic design began in the 1960s.
ABC News - Max was invited to paint portraits of the Statue of Liberty at the White House in 1981 by first lady Nancy Reagan.
ABC News - Max pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 1997.
WHY:
ABC News - Max expressed that he felt his work was "almost exploited" due to its widespread commercial use.
HOW:
ABC News - Max helped popularize yoga in the U.S. by bringing “Swami” Satchidananda Sariswati to the country.
ABC News - Max studied at the Art Students League, the School of Visual Arts, and Pratt Institute in New York.
ABC News - After achieving commercial success, Max shut down his business in the early 1970s to reconnect with his art.
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 08:00 UTC)
Max's son, Adam Max, shared heartfelt memories of his father, highlighting his extraordinary creativity, warmth, curiosity, and unique ability to see beauty and possibility everywhere. Max's art, known for its vividly fluorescent paintings, posters, and graphic imagery, has been showcased in numerous museum exhibitions globally, including seven pieces held by New York's Museum of Modern Art. Additionally, he played a significant role in popularizing yoga in the U.S. by introducing “Swami” Satchidananda Sariswati to the country.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 05:01 UTC)
Psychedelic pop artist Peter Max has died at the age of 88, with his son Adam Max confirming the news. Born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin, Max became a prominent figure in the art world, known for his vibrant works that were featured at major events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl, as well as on products ranging from mugs to dresses. Throughout his career, which began in the 1960s, Max's art left a lasting impact, including a notable moment in 1981 when he was invited by first lady Nancy Reagan to paint portraits of the Statue of Liberty at the White House.